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Acura MDX (pre-2007)
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Has anyone solved the "Ticking Noise" problem from the glove compartment?? It appears there are several of us having the same noise and the posts are not new....
Ukkonen - Post #1458
All concerned with this problem
[Similar to the problem seen in the Ody]
Your problem arises from the left top corner (most often) of the glove box door rubber-stop
not making contact with the dash-stop. This is a metal strip containing the latch hook,
running along the top of the glove box space. At its ends are two ninety-degree metal tabs that can be adjusted (bent) outwards/inwards so that the rubber stopper on the door can make contact with it, putting pressure on the door and preventing a ticking or rattle.
Unfortunately, the tab on the left side (facing the dash) cannot be adjusted outwards because it is coming into contact with the plastic facia preventing further movement. Therefore, no inward pressure at that point. You will notice the right side tab is narrower and can be adjusted outward quite a bit.
Have your dealer look at it. Don't try forcing the tabs out without firmly holding the baseplate or the facia could crack. The solution I found was to have the dealer remove the base plate (four self threading screws hold it in place) and actually cut away about one-third of the width of the metal tab. That way it can be bent outward more without it coming into contact with the facia. (You may be able to bend yours outward enough to make contact with the door-stop. Check and see if the tab is touching the facia. This could save you a trip to the dealer). The door rubber stop should then have enough inward pressure to prevent rattling of the door.
This can be done yourself if you have a pair of metal cutters, phillips screw driver and a small head wrench. It will be easier to get at if you remove the glove box door (two threaded screws at the base). If not, confident go to your dealer.
Good luck to fixing the problem. Please post what the dealer did. Thanks.
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
If it is true that "the order of the topics shouldn't really matter very much at all since most of it is dynamic, and most people access their topics through the message centre and don't even look at the entire SUV list"
Why is the M class fixed at #4?
8-)
Ard
One school of thought holds that there will only be small, incremental changes for 2002, reflecting Honda/Acura's traditional conservatism and past history, plus the fact that right now the vehicle is a sales success. Incremental changes being little things, like perhaps power mirrors. Maybe some repackaging of options.
Not sure if larger changes will be there, like Acura's version of stability control, VSA, or xenon headlamps. Certainly not all of these at one time. There are rumors of an eventual V8 but most folks don't expect it to at least 2003 if not later.
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=695
I am very close to buying an MDX but would love to wait for next years model. I know I have a few concerns about the current model but I really do like it. I realize no vehicle is perfect but my concerns seemed to have been voiced by others.
Does anyone know when the new model will be out?
Does anyone know if it will rub strips, xenon lights, a better NAV, better seats?
It really doesn't matter because most users use their message centre, BUT we put the "important topics" up first so most users will stumble upon them. Huh, which is it?
I just don't like the bias.
How about "Well, I'm an ardent MB supporter, and since I control the site I decided to place it up front."
Call'n a spade a spade,
Ard
Most of this is just in fun. It seems we can always count on you to let your bias show just enough for you to be considered a bad politician. ;-)
Otherwise, no problem at about 3K miles. Getting about 21 mpg on mostly highway and 14 on mostly town driving.
Anybody have used the AC Whitney Bike attachment being advertised on MDX.org? For a price around $50, seems like a good deal.
However, I'm not sure if that answer applies to my case. I've continued to hear the ticking noise when my glove box door is opened.
Is it true that the MDX has the same glove box assembly as the odyssey? The reason I ask is that I didn't notice the tabs you were describing when I took a quick look at it last night. Then again, I didn't have time to look at it in depth, so I might have just missed them.
Sorry, couldn't resist!
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
Does anyone know what post # it was or does any MDX owner have a list of suggested things to look for when taking delivery?
Transpower
Nah, I'm not touchy about it. In fact, I'm rather amused by the entire thing. However, I will annoying point out that if it's such a small matter you wouldn't have gone out of your way to deliberately do it, and I am afraid I do not think your initial explanation of your motivation is what your true motivation was.
Since you say you have to read all the boards anyway as part of your role in Edmunds, I wouldn't think putting the M-class at the top of specific SUV model topics would really make much difference in your convenience in checking that discussion. After all, you've been an avid reader and poster of MANY message boards on Edmunds Townhall for a few years now.
So that would lead one to speculate that "pinning" the M-class topic to appear above all other specific SUV model topics was motivated by the desire to promote one's personal favorite (I can hear Ard going, "duh!!!"). And I think that's what some folks would gripe about.
Anyway, again, I'm certainly not touchy about it, I'm just having fun playing deputy prosecutor ;-)
I, for one, don't really care which how the topic list is organized. I use the message center and when they had the old software, the topics were arranged by topic number anyway. The M-class topic being created first, was nearly always ahead of the MDX topic.
-Todd
Of course, I believe EVERYTHING I read on the internet, too! ;-)
What have you to add?
William- nail on the head.
Audio- VERY good point. the Fader is NOT intuitive. Took me a few days before I stumbled onto the rear speakers as transpower described. You do need to stop in the center position to get past. Prior to that I was very dissapointed with my $2600 upgrade. (After that only mildly!)
6 feet fresh power in the sierras last weekend! yow-za.
Ard
Hey Ard, what brand front air deflector did you buy? Does it make any difference on the wind noise?
More storms in the Sierras this weekend hopefully. I'm a dying to go boarding.
I'd hope Acura does better w/ logistics. It's usually painfully slow for any "high demand" car. You should have seen how long it took some folks to get MLs repaired a few years ago when they first came out :-P
With enough fiddling with that and other knobs, it can improve the sound fidelity somewhat. Not enough to please the audiophiles but I think enough to please the average rank and file.
Though of course, everyone knows the MDX is just a 4WD minivan so all Acura would need to do is to slap on an Odyssey part ;-)
Seriously, I was skeptical of that post regarding a 45-60 day wait for the X5 parts. Did M-Class owners have similar problems with the 1998 ML320? Gee, if that's the way things work for first-year German car owners, then I'm glad I got a discounted 2001 A4 rather than the redesigned 2002 model coming out later this year!
They're close to work. I'll just have to bring it by sometime when it warms up, and personally demonstrate it to them.
The front air deflector is an Acura. To my knowledge it is the only one available. I tried Lund, and some other (the name escapes me) but nothing was available-nor was anything in the pipeline. (Understandable- they make alot more Ford/Chevy/Dodge pickups than MDXs!)
I've not put it on- once I opened the box I decided I didn't like it- so I can't report on wind noise. Looking at it, it is pretty sleek-plus it is way out by the nose- I don't think you'd hear it.
Ard
Sorry about your 'swipe. My bumper got wacked a few weeks ago and I'm sick. $500 to repaint. (Scratches deep enough to go into the urethane around 1/16 inch)
Glad to be of assistance. Tried to post yesterday but was encountering some problems. Saw your #1492 today. Hoping to get to you before you visited dealership. Maybe this will help.
The mfr prefers to call the Ody and MDX 'similar' due to platform similarities.
About the glove box. You did not notice end tabs. However, my recollection is that the glove-box is not a door-on-frame design, but I will check. Since you notice the ticking even with the door open, there might be a couple of other
items you could check. Is the glove-box door loose on the left/both sides? (Sometimes not obvious with door closed). Metal screw/washer hitting the metal screw-in tab will make a 'ticking' noise if loose. My tech also said that in the off-chance, the lock retractor spring could have broken off and fallen inside the door body causing the tick. A way to check. Operate the door latch and see if the locking hook retracts. Hope you don't mind; just presenting the possibilities to you.
Also check if there is door movement when closed. There is a bit of adjustment in the lock mechanism, only if you can press the door in further at the lock point. However, since your problem also exists with the door open, it is more likely a loose door connection/something broken.
Isolating the noise is important. Also, take a look at the items inside the glove box and make sure there is nothing metallic (like a key, nut or mag wheel lock stud) causing the problem (don't mean to question your intelligence here, begging your pardon). I am presently verifying any design differences for US/Canada vehicles (strike plate versus door-on-frame). I will be isolating this problem on a MDX on Friday. In the meantime, please carefully check the source of the noise and inform me. By "source" I mean 'putting your ear down there' and shaking/lightly banging to simulate the noise. IMHO, in most cases, an owner is better at diagnosing noise problems. Weather conditions/dealer interest plays a good part in time spent by them on such matters. They consider owners 'nit-picky' what they feel is 'normal'.
MDXs sell faster than hot cakes here and glove-box door adjustments do not come up in the maintenance listing. Don't know why. Nobody had the problem??!!
Take care, drive safe and enjoy your vehicle.
Several folks have had this problem.
Ask your dealer to call Acura Tech Services before they tear into the front end. There ought to be something there about this problem, given the relative prevalence.
If I recall, it was either torquing or greasing (or both) a particular fitting on the front suspension. Back around 1316 it was mentioned, as well as earlier. You may also check out www.acuramdx.org for info.
Ard
Ard
Test-drove MDX in a heavy downpour today and couldn't help but notice how loud it sounded on the windshield. Not nearly so deafening in my Suburban! What's up with that? Still trying to decide. Thanks for input.
I do remember that there was some play when the glove box door is closed. I can definitely push on the upper left corner of the door and push it closer to the box.
No offense taken regarding your comment to make sure I didn't have items inside the glove compartment that might be making the noise. In fact, when I first observed this noise, I noticed a pair of sunglasses sitting against a small flashlight. When I removed both of them, the ticking stopped... but only momentarily! :-(
I do consider this a minor problem, because it only occurs intermittantly. It had never occurred during the first couple months of ownership.
I believe I am at least the 3rd, if not the 4th, person in this forum who reported this type of problem. (There were a couple posts over a month ago that reported similar circumstances.) However, since the noise seems to not go away when the door is open, I may have a slight variation from the problem other people are reporting. I'll take some time Saturday to look into this much more closely. Your two posts should be of great assistance.
Please post back in here if you find out any additional information Friday. You've been a great asset! Thanks a bunch! :-)
Long-time readers will know that I am 'nuts' about a hiss-sound from the brake pedal. It is very noticable in the quiet interior.
Just guessing, but is the interior of the 'burban as quiet as the interior of the MDX, without rain?
In a quiet environment, minor sounds will be much more noticeable.
It's either that, or it's that thin glass in the Acura....
Ard
The big item was when crossing washboard type roads, a rattle occured up in the sunroof area. Actually behind the sunroof area under the headliner.
Just got the call that they need it another day- need to drop the whole headliner. (Hint: DO NOT schedule repairs on a Friday. Maintenance OK, not repairs.) I'll post the results.
BYW, loaner is a 2001 3.2CL. Quite the rocketsled. I like the tiptronic shifter. 100 comes up real quick.
I don't know if I mentioned this, but I sent Acura a long letter addressing (among other things) the poor 'environment' at some dealerships. (Attitude, repair accuracy, physical condition of the waiting room, service area, etc) The regional rep REALLY appreciated the letter. It is practically the only way Acura corporate can force the dealers to improve. Sure, if a dealer is so-so, they won't win the 'center of excellence' or whatever the award is, but if they are crappy, Acura has no power to make them improve-unless folks complain, evidently.
Others have said it- if you're getting jerked around on a purchase, or once you've bought- write!
Ard
MDXMAN at the "Leaking Side Mirror" thread at www.acuramdx.org web site and I have been exchanging messages about the problem of water streaks caused by the "leaking mirror." He said he covers the mirror with a chamois when he hand-washes the car, which prevents water from building up inside the mirror HOUSING, thus eliminating the water streak problem. Apparently, water in the mirror housing has a channel to the bracket, from which the water is free to slowly flow down the side, creating the water streak.
Since I'm one of those lazy people who uses a car wash to clean my MDX, I began searching for something other than a chamois and hit upon Ziploc food bags, the large size with the "Slideloc" feature (works like a zipper). One bag fits almost perfectly over the mirror, and the plastic zipper allows you to close it to the point where it's snug against the mirror, thus preventing it from blowing off in the car wash.
Voila, the water streak problem, which has been plaguing me since I took delivery of my GG Touring/Nav back in early Nov., is no more! Hallelujah!
(P.S. Those of you who chose SS or MB may not notice the water streaks since the color of your MDXs are relatively light in comparison to the other colors.)
"I took my MDX in to the dealer today for the first scheduled maintenance. I asked them to check into the leaking side mirror and the thud. They just called and told me they fixed both problems. According to the service person, the leaking side mirror was caused by a gap in the mirror seal. They used some silicon to seal the gap. I have yet to verify whether their solution works and will post my experience after the next car wash or rain. While MDXMAN's solution may work with car washes, I'm not sure how practical it is during rains. Wish me luck."
I remember seeing a post a while back about contacting the president of Honda to suggest changes. I would like to suggest adding HID's, rub strips, better seats, and a better NAV system.
Does anyone know who this information should go to?
Thanks!
Acceleration (0-60 mph): NA
Braking Distance (60-0 mph): NA
Roadholding Index: NA
And some of the other details not available? - Thanks!